A mysterious ancient seed, dating back to a time between 993 AD and 1202, has grown into a 10 feet tall tree nearly 1,000 years after it came into existence. The seed, found in the Judean Desert between the West Bank and Israel, is likely to have belonged to a lineage of trees mentioned in the Bible, scientists say. Named "Sheba", after a biblical queen, the ancient seed took 14 years to grow into a tree after it was discovered during an excavation in a cave in the late 1980s.
Scientists believe the seed belongs to a now-extinct species of trees that existed in the region which is modern-day Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Does it have healing powers? Scientists claim the fully-grown tree could be the source of "tsori" (meaning balm) - a resin mentioned in the Bible for its healing powers. They claim the revival of the tree can unravel the mystery behind the Biblical balm.
The tree is also related to the Commiphora species that produce fragrant resins which some believe to be the source of another Biblical perfume called "Balm of Gilead". "Our initial hypothesis was that 'Sheba' might be a candidate for the historical 'Judean Balsam,'" the scientists, but added that they refuted the idea as the tree lacks aromatic properties. Anti-cancer properties Sheba has shown a range of medicinal properties.
Chemical analysis of the ancient tree's leaves reveals that it contains active compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Its stems and leaves have antioxidant and sk.